Howdy!

Earlier today, I was on a call with the Momentum community, a group of badass fellow heart-based entrepreneurs spearheaded by my friendtor and former podcast guest, Jenny Blake. (And BTW, I was recently included as a guest on this wonderful compilation episode of her Pivot Podcast focused on Comforting Words for this crazy time of COVID-19.)

On the call, I was sharing about my lack of inspiration for content creation right now and asking for any tips or exercises folks have done around this… while also saying in that sorta-sarcastic tone that “I get that I might just have to let this be what it is right now.”

Several folks had great input, and I think it was Dr. Michael Consuelos in the chat who mentioned something along the lines of “even a lack of strategy is a strategy.” Jenny chimed in that that sounded like a great podcast episode, to which I responded “go for it!” and she was like… “no, for you,” to which I internally eye-rolled.

Then lo and behold, I sat down at a blank Evernote screen, and the podcast basically wrote itself— which was also cool because I haven’t scripted the prior episodes, but this was a neat experiment in trying it out because I knew I needed to write out these thoughts first.

It could certainly be said that this blog post is out of order because I have done zero to promote my new podcast (oh hi, I have a new podcast) beyond like two posts on Facebook, one on Instagram, and putting the link in my email signature. AND I’VE DONE 34 EPISODES. 🙈

But honestly, I just… haven’t felt like promoting it yet. 🤷‍♀️Which is, decidedly, very un-strategic. But right now, I am allowing that to be okay and just to create it anyway, and the few people who hear these early episodes will be the ones that need to hear them! (Or some kind of spiritual justification like that. 🤪)

and if you want to listen to the episode instead of/in addition to reading it, subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, on your podcast app of choice… or stream via the embedded player below!

We’ve been hearing the message of permission and grace a LOT recently, and I am going to take this episode a little further than that— but I do also think even that basic, core message is one that many of us need constant reminders of, both IRL and in this pandemic life, too.

First, here’s what I hope we’re all kinda-sorta on board with at this point:

We have permission to start new projects, and to not start anything new at all.

We have permission to craft until we’re knitting hats for the squirrels, and to not craft at all.

We have permission to feel sad, exhausted, scared, guilty, and to feel joyful and thriving.

You have permission to move your body in joyful ways, and to sit on the couch.

We have permission to read 3 books a week, and no books at all.

We have permission to listen to and read every “breaking news” update, and to tune out the news completely.

Okay actually, I rescind that permission to listen to the news constantly. Please, DON’T DO IT!

I’m not telling you anything new, but these reminders are important.

What I want to add that might be a little newer, is to imagine what it might be like to turn the idea of “strategy” on its head right now. This pandemic has flipped us upside down and shaken us out, like it’s at the bottom of the cereal bag and doesn’t want to miss one delicious flake. So what if instead of conceptualizing what it means to be “strategic” and just applying that to this shifting world, we allowed ourself to completely turn OURSELVES and our concept of strategic upside-down, too— so that instead of resisting our present reality, we’re flowing WITH it?

Right about now, you’re going, “Okay Val, that sounds really nice and poetic, and now I want some Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but what the fuck does this actually MEAN in my LIFE??”

Here’s what I’m taking it to mean right now:

All bets are off. All prior assumptions should no longer be assumed. You have this unchosen yet rare moment to completely ERASE the drawing board and see what wants to emerge.

And maybe your typical instinct, like mine, is to show up to that board with a slew of journaling questions and mind maps, and walk away with a list of concrete goals, tasks, and timelines. But right now, all I’m showing up with is a blank stare and a bag of Zapp’s Voodoo chips (#antidietvegan). For someone who’s normally a joyful workaholic, it feels more than a little disorienting.

Right now, I’m more drawn to go on extra walks, cook more from scratch, and ponder whether I’d like to get back into learning Spanish or playing the guitar— in the past, interests that would quickly get overshadowed by my professional interests and goals.

The brainwashed-by-capitalism part of me says “but what would you have to show for those things? Especially if you only stuck with them for the duration of social distancing… wouldn’t that all be a waste of time that would have been better spent on business goals that could lead to tangible progress and results?”

And this is where I literally have to get up, turn my head upside down, shake it out, and embrace the reality that right now, my strategy is to be un-strategic.

I know this message won’t resonate with everyone, but for those of you who are feeling similarly right now, I hope this helps you to expand that sense of permission even more than you thought possible. I know even writing it has helped me do so.

Thanks again to Jenny and everyone on the Momentum call earlier for the inspiration for this episode/post!